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This Instant Pot Acorn Squash is stuffed with turkey sausage, red pepper, red onion and kale for a healthy and festive fall dinner idea! Ingredients and substitutions
Squash stuffing
How to cook acorn squash in the Instant Pot
How to make stuffed acorn squash
What to serve with stuffed acorn squashI personally like serving this stuffed acorn squash on its own since it’s super filling and has everything you need in a meal. If you’re looking for more side dish ideas, here are some ideas:
Frequently Asked QuestionsAre acorn squash and butternut squash the same? While they’re both types of squash, acorn and butternut squash are not the same. Butternut squash has a smoother and sweeter flavour which is why it’s often substituted for pumpkin. Acorn squash also has a tougher skin and is a bit smaller than butternut squash. How long do you pressure cook it for? Acorn squash will need to cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. Keep in mind that it’ll take the Instant Pot about 10-15 minutes to get up to high pressure, so the total cooking time is about 20 minutes. How do you soften it? If you try and cut into the skin of a raw acorn squash, you’ll notice it’s pretty tough. I suggest microwaving the acorn squash for 2 minutes before you try and cut into it. This will soften the skin so it’s a lot easier to cut into. Is acorn squash healthy? Yes! Acorn squash is packed with nutrients including potassium, vitamin C, magnesium and fibre. It’s also rich in antioxidants. Storing and reheatingStore any leftovers of this recipe in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s a great meal prep recipe – just divide the squash halves into four meal prep containers and you’ll have your meals for the week! You can reheat your stuffed squash in the microwave or in the oven. Reheat it for 2-3 minutes in the microwave, stirring the filling halfway through, or reheat in the oven at 350° Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. If you haven’t made the recipe yet and just want to store the raw squash, you can keep the uncut squash in a dark, dry place at room temperature for up to a month. If you’ve already cut the squash in half, wrap it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Can you freeze acorn squash?You sure can! This stuffed squash recipe can be frozen in airtight glass containers or Ziploc bags for up to 3 months! You can also freeze the stuffing separately for up to 3 months, then add it to freshly cooked squash halves. To reheat, let the squash defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat it in the oven at 400° Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. You can reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes if you’re in a pinch, I just find that reheating the squash in the oven prevents it from getting soggy. More fall Instant Pot recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
Squash stuffing
Stuffing
Try making this recipe with another kind of winter squash like hubbard or butternut squash. Swap out the ground turkey for ground chicken, pork or beef. Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in the oven at 350° F for 10 minutes. Freeze this recipe for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat. Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 1309mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3425IU | Vitamin C: 84.6mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 3.2mg How long does it take to cook in an instant pot?That time doesn't actually start until pressure builds, which often takes about 10 minutes. You'll also want to add about 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to release. In the end, a "30-minute" recipe can take about 50 to 60 minutes.
How long do you pressure can acorn squash?Allow 1 inch (3 cm) headspace. Process at 11 pounds pressure in a dial gauge pressure canner or 10 pounds pressure in a weighted gauge pressure canner. Process pints (½ litres) for 55 minutes and quarts (1 litres) for 90 minutes.” Pumpkin and Winter Squash.
How long does it take for squash to be cooked?Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place squash, cut-sides down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour 2 cups water into the dish around the squash halves. Bake in the preheated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 1 1/2 hours, adding more water as needed.
How do you know when an acorn squash is cooked?Place your squash on a large baking sheet or in a baking dish, cut side up. Roast it at 400° for about an hour. A fork should be able to easily pierce the squash and shred it. Easy!
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